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What to do in your garden in August

August usually brings plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy the garden, even though we know there are jobs still to be done to keep it looking good. Even though ladybirds are an attractive sight in any garden they are also a great help to gardeners because they are a natural predator of aphids such as greenfly, blackfly and whitefly. So here’s a simple tip to help your plants to survive and thrive – when you see a ladybird in the garden, pick it up and place it in your greenhouse or on your roses, fruit trees or anything you’re worried about. It will make itself at home in no time and hungrily devour the pests. And don’t forget that you can attract more ladybirds with a Ladybird Tower or a Bug Box.

If you would like a fine finish to your lawn then cut more than once a week. Any weeds should be removed and, if required, the holes filled with a gritty compost followed by a small amount of grass seed being raked in.

When the weather is dry and hot, ideally the grass should be kept slightly longer by setting the blades a little higher.

After being away on holiday you will want to cut the grass but to avoid any stress to the lawn it is best to do this gradually.

We would suggest only removing 13mm (½”) of growth to start with, giving another light cut a week or so later, followed by cutting to the recommended height.

Prepare sites for new lawns, as towards the end of the month and into early September is an ideal time for sowing. The area should be level, free from large stones and weeds.

It is very important to remove perennial weeds as these will be difficult to control until the lawn is established.

Where perennial weeds are growing on the site, spray with a weedkiller containing Glyphosate some weeks before commencing soil cultivations. This will allow any re-growth to be treated for a second time.

Feverfew and field cornflower can be sown where they are required to flower.

Now is a good time for cutting plants such as achillea, grasses and other everlasting subjects as they are at their peak. They should be hung upside down in an airy, warm place so that they can dry naturally ready for using in arrangements.

Use bamboo canes to support stems of tall perennials and lilies.

Deadheading of roses should be done regularly, and flowers trimmed just above the top leaf on the stem. Stem cuttings can also be taken for propagating.

If plants being grown in patio pots are not doing as well as expected, this could be caused by either ants nesting in them or vine weevil. Preventative action should be taken and in the case of ants the pots could be stood, above the water level in large saucers of water, and in the case of vine weevil treat the compost with a biological pest control.

Going away on holiday and there’s no one to water your plants in the greenhouse or conservatory, then it may be worth considering one of the many watering devices available while away such as Watering Mats, Micro-drip Watering System & Timer Set, Watering Spike, Adjustable Drip Feeder.

In the case of containers and hanging baskets it is well worth moving them to a situation where they are shaded and out of full sunshine.

To prevent plants that are in a greenhouse becoming scorched, which can occur if the leaves are wet, on hot days either place netting or use a shade paint on the outside of the glass. In this instance, please remember to water plants carefully, it is always advisable on hot days to damp down the floor of the greenhouse as this will increase humidity.

This is an ideal time to clean out any empty water-butts so that any dirt that may be trapped at the bottom is removed.

Use a net to remove any dead flowers or leaves.

Overgrown pond plants can be thinned, and it may prove useful to take note of any waterlilies which will require dividing next spring.

Feed fish regularly, taking care not to over-feed, with a varied diet to build them up. Any food remaining in the pond after ten minutes should be removed.

To help aerate the water and keep fish healthy top up water levels.

Oxygen can be increased by letting water gently fall into the pond from a hose at a height approximately 1m (3′).

It may prove necessary to increase the amount of oxygen to fish and plants during thundery weather in which case leaving the fountain running overnight will prove helpful.

If you haven’t a water fountain then a gentle spray using a hose over the surface from time to time will prove beneficial.

Gardening Glossary:

A hardy annual is a temporary visitor to the garden as it grows from seed (sown direct in the garden),flowers and dies in a single season. A half hardy annual also grows, flowers and dies in a single season but the seedlings need to be grown indoors and not planted out until the risk of […]